Holy Week: Wednesday
Holy Week is about recognizing the uncommon in the midst of our regular lives. As we get closer to Easter Sunday, let us make this week one where we allow the story of God to bleed into our experiences. There is nothing more regular than eating. So we encourage you to do the daily devotionals during a meal time where the food that you eat can compliment the theme of each day of Holy Week.
Jesus’ life revolved around hospitality. He was often welcomed into people’s homes. In these special, holy moments, people shared space, life, and meals with Jesus the Lord. May we do the same, and allow the regular moments in our lives to be encounters with Jesus as we near Easter Sunday.
Wednesday: “The Lord’s Reception”
Mark 14:1-11
The Plot to Kill Jesus14 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
Judas to Betray Jesus
10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Devotional
It is Wednesday of Holy Week. On this Wednesday of Jesus’ life he was dining with really close friends. Imagine the scene. Jesus is resting at a table with friends that he has known for years. They are likely exchanging stories of past escapades like when Jesus - and kinda of Peter - walked on water. Or when Jesus fed over 5,000 people with just a few pieces of bread and fish. But also at the meal are three dear friends: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They begin to remember that sad time when Lazarus died. Mary and Martha were filled with tears and grief because they had lost their brother. And yet, Jesus shows up four days later and raises him from the dead. Story after story continues to be told, until Mary approaches Jesus in that moment with beautiful smelling ointment and pours it on his head.
Everyone is confused - baffled at what is going on. Until Jesus makes it known that Mary, the woman pouring the ointment, had done a good thing - preparing his body for burial. Mary anointed Jesus because she recognized who he was: the anointed one - the Messiah. The one who is set apart by God to restore all creation. Oftentimes within the regular rhythms of life, we can forget who we are in the presence of: God our Salvation. Mary, as Jesus said, “Did what she could” to receive Jesus. Today on this middle, regular day of the week, we remember whose presence we are in. So, take some time to also do whatever you can to receive the presence of the Spirit.
Poem: “Anointing at Bethany” by Malcolm Guite
Come close with Mary, Martha , Lazarus
So close the candles stir with their soft breath
And kindle heart and soul to flame within us
Lit by these mysteries of life and death.
For beauty now begins the final movement
In quietness and intimate encounter
The alabaster jar of precious ointment
Is broken open for the world’s true lover,
The whole room richly fills to feast the senses
With all the yearning such a fragrance brings,
The heart is mourning but the spirit dances,
Here at the very centre of all things,
Here at the meeting place of love and loss
We all foresee, and see beyond the cross.
Food: Olive oil, olives
For today, we suggest eating something that requires olive oil or olives. As you do, take time to contemplate what it means for Jesus to be called Christ - the anointed one of God. We use this name as a title for no other person. What does it mean when we say Jesus is the Christ?